BRAINTREE TOWN moved up to fourth in Blue Square South with a fine 2-1 win over Thurrock at Ship Lane.

The Iron had to withstand some pressure from Fleet in the First half, with keeper Craig Holloway making some good saves.

However, Jacob Mingle put them ahead, midway through the first half.

The lead was short-lived though and Thurrock equalised three minutes later through Paul Olima.

But leading goalscorer George Purcell popped up to score Braintree’s all-important winner, midway through the second half.

It was a case of unlucky 13 for WITHAM TOWN after they lost 1-0 at Takeley.

Town had gone 13 matches unbeaten in the Essex Senior League but their long undefeated run came to an end.

Witham did have chances throughout and with a little more composure in front of goal, might have had goals.

But their shooting was erratic and skipper Steve Joyce, James Robinson and Robert Whitnell all went close before the break.

The second half was a fragmented affair, with several stoppages for minor infringements.

Takeley were reduced to ten men when Louis Bristow received a second yellow card.

But it did not stop the powerful home side and they scored what proved to be the winner when Chris Grove’s shot bounced just inside the post.

Witham still had chances to equalise but it was not their night and they were beaten by the better team.

Elsewhere in the division, TIPTREE UNITED recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Southend Manor.

It is the first time the Jam-makers have secured back-to-back league wins under manager Steve Wheeler.

HALSTEAD TOWN are through to this season’s First Division Knockout Cup Final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win.

Town drew 1-1 with Whitton United after extra-time at Rosemary Lane, in their semi-final tie.

However, they prevailed 8-7 on penalties to book a date with rivals FC Clacton in this season’s final.

Halstead’s victory was assured when keeper Ed Wooten kept out Whitton’s ninth penalty from Anton Clarke.

They had taken the lead just before the half hour through defender Tom Devaux.

But Whitton got back on level terms with 18 minutes to go when Luke Reid rammed home their equaliser.

Extra-time could not separate the two sides and both teams converted their first seven spot-kicks in the resultant shoot-out.

Keeper Moyes denied Adam Gillespie and then Wooten saving from Froud, before Seb Murfet converted to leave Town in the driving seat.

Wooten then dived full length to turn away Anton Clarke’s effort, to book Town’s place in the final.

FC CLACTON boosted their promotion hopes with a 3-0 win at Stowmarket Town, in Ridgeons League division one.

Goals from James Dunkley, Kevin Coyle and Matt Waters sealed the Seasiders an important win, in their on-going promotion push.

Their margin of victory might have been greater had Waters not sent his penalty over the bar.

The only downside to the evening for Clacton was a worrying-looking injury to Andy Taylor.

He hobbled off after a heavy tackle early in the second half and had to be replaced by Kyelan Marvell.